MrBeast Faces Controversy in Mexico
New Delhi: MrBeast, known as the most subscribed YouTuber globally, is in a bit of hot water with authorities in Mexico.
Real name Jimmy Donaldson, he published a video titled “Survive on Ancient Mayan Temple 100 Hours Survived” on May 10. In this video, MrBeast and his team explore a historic site, swim in cenotes, and dine on traditional Mayan cuisine, reportedly even spending the night in a temple.
The video features the Cukulcan Pyramid, or El Castillo, a renowned wonder located in Chichen Itza, Yucatán.
“It’s amazing that the government let us do this. It’s quite surreal. Even archaeologists can’t access this place,” MrBeast remarked in his video.
This content raised eyebrows among the public, as well as archaeologists and Mexican officials. The main concern revolves around MrBeast’s access to spaces considered sacred within Mexican pre-Hispanic culture, which is typically restricted to the public.
Reports indicate that Mexico’s Ministry of Culture plans to impose sanctions on YouTubers who misrepresent events, misuse cultural heritage sites, and potentially take legal action against them.
Criticism was particularly directed at images showing aerial drone footage inside the temple and visuals of MrBeast either descending to an archaeological site via helicopter or handling pre-Hispanic artifacts.
According to the Ministry of Culture, MrBeast may face penalties and legal repercussions for purportedly mismanaging the event and violating the intended use of the cultural site.
The Institute for Anthropology and History (INAH), which falls under the Ministry of Culture, acknowledged the situation and stated that filming was done following “formal requests.”
In an official statement, INAH assured that their staff were present during the filming to ensure compliance with preservation standards. However, they also pointed out that some scenes, such as the helicopter landing, drone footage within the Kukulkan pyramid, and the showcasing of masks, were altered in post-production.
On Wednesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum mentioned that while “broadcasting” was allowed, she requested INAH to clarify the conditions under which the filming permit was issued.
With over 394 million subscribers, MrBeast remains the most popular content creator on YouTube.
